ballettmaus
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I'd argue that at the very least kids with special needs and younger children require some in-person instruction.
On the one hand, I agree. On the other, there are kids with special needs who are immune-compromised, so they're more at risk than other kids and if the kid requires that the teacher get close to them, in-person teaching doesn't sound like that good of an idea. (There also may be special needs kids who would have trouble separating from their parents after all this time at home, especially if parents can't come inside the building with them and/or kids with special needs who would have difficulties with the concept of not being allowed to get close to anyone. Either could be very tough on them mentally as well).
Israel's second wave, spread via schools, has been brought up a lot. But it's worth keeping in mind that Israel didn't just reopen schools, it did so in an irresponsible manner - full, crowded classes and a week of no masks indoors even for teenagers. This should be a model of how not to open schools, not a reason to keep them shut down completely.
I don't think anyone is shutting down schools here because of Israel. I think they're doing it because YKW is still not under control in most areas, numbers are on the rise in many areas, summer camps and athletics programs had to shut down due to outbreaks and travellers are returning home from hard hit areas like South Carolina and Florida.
If Israel saw a second wave after they were doing as well as they did with YKW, I have my doubts that most US schools would be able to fare much better given the circumstances.
As was mentioned before, it probably would have been possible if schools had more resources and/or had started to work on plans on how to safely reopen back in March/April. That didn't happen, so now here we are and I'd say it's all pretty messed up.